National Parks

National Park Service officials may consider shuttling hikers and visitors between Harpers Ferry and Maryland Heights while a bridge over the Potomac River there is being repaired. Damaged by a train derailment in December, a pedestrian footbridge that linked the national park with recreational resources in Maryland may require extensive repairs and no date for … Read more

Access to one of the most important mining heritage sites in the U.S. will reopen again soon, though officials have no timeline for restoration of the route there, which was practically destroyed after flooding in 2016. The road has been officially closed while the engineers repair priority routes damaged by the flood, to the dismay … Read more

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park will increase its entrance fees on January 1, 2020, as part of the National Park Service’s ongoing efforts to address infrastructure needs and improve future visitor experiences. All money collected from entrance fees remains in the National Park Service, with at least 80 percent retained locally at Harpers Ferry, West … Read more

One of America’s favorite hiking trails will be closed weekdays through mid-October while diseased trees are removed, according to officials from the National Park Service. Starting Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, the Maryland Heights Trail in the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park will be closed on weekdays for the removal of diseased trees, which have the … Read more

Nearly 160 years after John Brown raided the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, the National Park Service is welcoming the gift of another 13 acres that help tell Brown’s story. The American Battlefield Trust purchased property known as Allstadt’s Corner, which includes Allstadt’s Ordinary, and transferred it to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The donation … Read more

BECKLEY, W.Va.—Officials at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve are anticipating increased river use and shuttle traffic during the World Scout Jamboree July 22-August 2 at the adjacent Summit Bechtel Reserve. Up to 65,000 scouts and scout leaders from more than 170 countries are expected to attend the event attend the landmark event, … Read more

Now in its sixth year, Thurmond Train Day is growing ever-more popular as visitors to the ghost town in southern West Virginia explore its historic landmarks and discover more about railroading history and present-day railroad safety. More than 600 people attended last year’s event, drawn largely by the opportunity to visit Thurmond, West Virginia, at … Read more

Visitors to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve who wish to travel the winding scenic route beneath the New River Gorge Bridge will be required to suffer a detour through mid-July. Part of Fayette Station Road near Fayetteville, West Virginia, will be closed while the route is repaired, repaved, and widened, according to Julena … Read more

Rangers and naturalists at seven parks in southern West Virginia will lead guided wildflower hikes on woodland trails April 26-28 during the 16th annual New River Gorge Wildflower Weekend. Ranger Jodi French-Burr stressed that the hikes and most additional events are free, and that the New River Gorge region and the New River basin is extremely rich … Read more